Pleasing God

Pleasing God

June 22, 2008

Introduction

In (Mat 3:16-17 NKJV), we find this account of Jesus’ baptism: “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. {17} And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Again, in Matthew 17, when Jesus was transfigured, we have this statement in (Mat 17:5 NKJV): ‘While he [that is Peter] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

This morning, we are considering the topic: Pleasing God! The first statement we wish to make is the fact that God can be pleased with men. The second statement that we would consider is this: “Is it important to please God?” Finally, if it is important to please God, how do we do it?

Body

I. God can be pleased with men. It is doable!

A. We have just considered Jesus of Whom God said, “I am well pleased!”

1. The fact that God said He was pleased with Jesus means this is important!

2. Jesus was perfect, but He was also to be our example.

(1 Pet 2:21 NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

B. Other men have pleased God!

(Heb 11:5 NKJV) By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

1. We are admonished to please God.

(1 Th 4:1 NKJV) Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

2. We know some did not please God.

Speaking of the Jews, Paul said, “who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,” (1 Th 2:15 NKJV)

II. Is it important to please God?

A. We know what happens when God is not pleased with people.

(1 Cor 10:5 NKJV) But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

1. The account of their lives is given as our example.

(1 Cor 10:6 NKJV) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted..

2. We are given more details about their wrongs.

(1 Cor 10:7-11 NKJV) And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." {8} Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; {9} nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; {10} nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. {11} Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come

B. We reach a point where God will no longer hear our prayers.

(Isa 1:15 NKJV) When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

C. When He comes back, we will not be ready.

(2 Th 1:7-8 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

D. Are we ready to meet Him in the judgment?

(2 Cor 5:9-11 NKJV) Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. {10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. {11} Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

III. Finally, how do we please God?

A. We please Him with our obedience.

1. If we have never obeyed the gospel, we need to start there.

(Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. After our obedience, we need to live a godly life.

(Heb 12:14-16 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: {15} looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; {16} lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

B. We please Him by “staying in touch.”

1. We stay in touch by listening to His word.

(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. We stay in touch through prayer.

(Phil 4:6-7 NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

(Heb 10:25-31 NKJV) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. {26} For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. {28} Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. {29} Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? {30} For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." {31} It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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